Selling your bike - do you allow test rides?

[rod h]

Selling the bike privately for the first time - do you allow test rides and how do you protect yourself against damage caused by the buyer ????

[BMWST?]

several discussions about this.You have to decide,but i would not buy a bike without test riding it first.

[imdying]

Sure, bring your money though. No money, no ride.

[sil3nt]

Anyone test riding should have had a good look at the bike beforehand and be prepared to buy the bike at the end of the ride. Otherwise they are just joy riders.

I recently purchased a bike. Went to check it out. Looked good so made a time to come back and test ride it with full cash (bank cheque) to the owner. Liked the bike so he kept the money and i kept the bike.

He also kept my licence when i went for the ride.

So asking price in your hand and take their licence as well. Chances are pretty good they won't get pulled over.

[boman]

It seems, upon reading other threads, that it is a major risk to let others ride the bike. There was a trend, not so long ago, of well dressed respectable men, stealing bikes they were taking for a ride. I personally do not know the correct answer to your question. I could be wrong, but can bank cheques be cancelled? How do you check the authenticity of the cheque. What is to stop someone handing you a fake licence and fake cheque, and then making off with your bike?

I would not buy a second hand bike without riding it first.

So it would seem a very good question..

[Flip]

You have to make the call, you can grab their; licence, car keys, bank cheque, wife. But if they want to rip you off there is probably very little you can do as all of the above can be faked.

Even the wife could be a fake.

[racefactory]

If they've come a long way with cash in hand or a deposit then sure...

otherwise they are all test pilots and can fuck off.

[rod h]

Cheers - I appreciate the comments, I have always expected to test ride the bike myself and have never been denied that but when the boots on the other foot.....??
I will have to make my mind up when they appear (if they actually do) but you're right if they want to scam you they will. thanks

[MaxCannon]

I've sold three bikes privately. Two with test rides and one without.

The first was the GN250
Two people rode it.
No one is likely to steal it but I made sure I saw their licenses first.
One came with family so it would have been hard to do a runner. The other rode his own bike over (ST1300).

I sold my Kwaka sight unseen and met the buyer half way so he could trailer it home.

My bandit 600 had two test rides. The first left his car (with me holding the keys). the second came on his own bike with his girlfriend on the back.
I figured if he didn't bring my bike I was going to keep the girl.

Neither bike would be hot target for theft and neither was worth a great amount.
There was the risk they'd bin it.
If I was selling mt current machine I'd be very reluctant to give anyone a test ride.

[NinjaNanna]

call the insurance company and tell them the bike is for sale and will have different people taking it for test rides.

[wysper]

call the insurance company and tell them the bike is for sale and will have different people taking it for test rides.

off hand do you know if generally your bike would be covered if stolen in that manner?

[Swoop]

Please do a "search" of this site, as there are a few threads on this subject and plenty of good advice for a seller.
Rule #1 is get something that will identify anyone who takes off with your bike, and make sure your insurance covers all eventualities.

If you do manage to identify a bike theif, killing them slowly with a blunt shovel is quite legal.

[Spearfish]

Please do a "search" of this site, as there are a few threads on this subject and plenty of good advice for a seller.
Rule #1 is get something that will identify anyone who takes off with your bike, and make sure your insurance covers all eventualities.

If you do manage to identify a bike thief, killing them slowly with a blunt shovel is quite legal.


Take a photo hopefully it wont turn into a mugshot.

[YellowDog]

The buyer of my last bike sent me a $200 deposit before flying up from Hawkes Bay to see the bike.

I guess it could have been an elaborate scam to get a bike for $200, however he had a trustworthy look about him and left his gear with me; so I was happy for him to ride the bike and give me the cash afterwards.

I think I'd want to test ride a bike before riding it back to Hawkes Bay also :yes:

[Mokadah]

The general conclusion from all these threads: cars, bikes, photographs, bags of personal gear, mates etc left behind are not protection for you as seller from the determined thief.

Only the agreed sale price in cash in your hand is. If they are genuine but don't want the bike after the test, they get their money back and everyone is happy.

If you want to give them the benefit of the doubt then that's up to you.

[Mad-V2]

The first bike I bought was a GPZ600R and the guy I got it from took me for a ride on the back, we got a certain distance out of town and I rode it back in with him on the back. Was a bloody good idea I thought.

[Crazy Steve]

It seems, upon reading other threads, that it is a major risk to let others ride the bike. There was a trend, not so long ago, of well dressed respectable men, stealing bikes they were taking for a ride. I personally do not know the correct answer to your question. I could be wrong, but can bank cheques be cancelled? How do you check the authenticity of the cheque. What is to stop someone handing you a fake licence and fake cheque, and then making off with your bike?

I would not buy a second hand bike without riding it first.

So it would seem a very good question..


Bank checks can be cancelled.. I have seen my Grandfather cancel one and depends on what kinda relationship you have with said bank.

Crazy Steve.

[boman]

I like the idea of taking a photo of the test rider. At least if they steal your ride, you have a photo of the theif

[PrincessBandit]

The first bike I bought was a GPZ600R and the guy I got it from took me for a ride on the back, we got a certain distance out of town and I rode it back in with him on the back. Was a bloody good idea I thought.

Reckon that's pretty much the way to go - guess you have to trust them with your life though! But at least short of shoving you off the back and making off with it (which then becomes a Police matter) you remain with your property until they get it back to the meeting point. Dunno how it would work out for anyone especially large - two huge riders on a poor wee 250 might not have such a great outcome...! Alternatively, tell them you will escort them on the test ride - you ride their bike or drive their car.

Otherwise, once you have established whatever "deposit" criteria e.g. car keys, wallet etc., tell them you'll allow x number of minutes for them i.e. what time you expect them back.

[Swoop]

Take a photo hopefully it wont turn into a mugshot.
No. Make it quite clear that you are taking a photograph of the person and the purpose of the photo will be used to give to "crimewatch", the police and posted on the interdweeb as a "known bike theif".

Take no chances.

[Mad-V2]

Good point about the size of people involved and also whether or not there's a pillion seat.
You can draw up a "You break it you buy it" contract where you would need proof of address, phone, license and a picture of the person. That should cover you in court if the worst happens. But if there going out on their own there's no way of knowing how hard they are thrashing the shit out of your bike short of following them or putting a camera on it. I would never let anyone test ride mine just because you can trust nobody but yourself these days.

[supa.m]

I am looking for a new (second hand) bike, I have test ridden those that I am seriously considering and I would not ride anything I was not serious about. I also would not buy a bike I had not ridden.

Its all about your risk tolerance really you can either accept the risk totally or treat it by the various means that have been discussed, the less risk you are prepared to accept the longer its likely to take to sell. If you can transfer the risk then do it, talk to your insurance company.

I am surprised when I arrive to look at a bike that is unregistered and unwarranted then the owner says "take it for a ride, you will love it" a very high risk tolerance equals desperate to sell I guess?

[240]

Bank checks can be cancelled.. I have seen my Grandfather cancel one and depends on what kinda relationship you have with said bank.

Crazy Steve.

Are you sure bank cheques can be cancelled? I did not think they can be as they are imprinted with the banks stamp and should be as good as cash.

[supa.m]

Are you sure bank cheques can be cancelled? I did not think they can be as they are imprinted with the banks stamp and should be as good as cash.

They can, just like any other cheque but the bank will need a good reason or you need to know the bank manager well. They are safer than personal cheques but not much, they can be stolen then 'washed' and re printed and as easy as anything else.....

[bsasuper]

Make it clear to them when they first call you that once seen the bike and they are serious about a purchase, a test ride can be had with the agreed sale amount in cash handed over, if they change their mind after test ride, cash is handed back (as long as it dosnt come back scraped off the road in a wheel barrow).
This weeds out the tire kickers on the phone usually.

[Crazy Steve]

Are you sure bank cheques can be cancelled? I did not think they can be as they are imprinted with the banks stamp and should be as good as cash.

As I said I have seen it done..

Ask your bank manager the question and there answer will be the same as mine..

Crazy Steve.

[javawocky]

Last time I sold a bike I phoned my insurance company and asked them how much the excess would be if a test rider did a runner. They said $750 excess, so I asked any potential test pilots for the excess cash in hand plus there licence to make a copy of.

[davebullet]

If the amount is around $5,000 or less - I would insist on cash. Tell the rider to leave it with you.
Sight their license
Don't let them ride it on first visit. Get them to come back. If they are keen - they will.
Some insurance policies are named rider only (mine is). Therefore, tell the rider you are not covered by your insurance so it's not simply a case of leaving behind the excess in cash

[NinjaNanna]

Some insurance policies are named rider only (mine is). Therefore, tell the rider you are not covered by your insurance so it's not simply a case of leaving behind the excess in cash

A quick phone call to your insurer should fix this for you. I've insured all of my bikes with Swann and each time it comes time to sell a quick phone call to them and its fine, cover extended to potential purchasers.

Another thing that I like about Swann is that any new bike I purchase is covered by my existing policy for a couple of weeks until you get around to changing the policy over.

[Bliksem]

Ask for a cash deposit equal to your insurance excess, maybe add another $250 just for good luck,

Keep the license, and make sure its valid for the size of the bike.

Not much to it.

Things to watch our for, if they add some small dings, and claim it was not them.
Your tool kit goes missing.

[Danm789]

I've sold three bikes privately. Two with test rides and one without.


My bandit 600 had two test rides. The first left his car (with me holding the keys). the second came on his own bike with his girlfriend on the back.
I figured if he didn't bring my bike I was going to keep the girl.



HaHa i think it was me that brought your bike. I swap u the girl for the money